A career in code
The Data Science Institute from the Charlottenburg Innovation Centre (CHIC) prepares career changers for roles in the data-driven economy
Demand for skilled professionals in data and artificial intelligence is growing rapidly. At the same time, many people are looking for new career paths beyond their original training. The Data Science Institute in Berlin brings the two together, preparing career changers for roles in the data-driven economy.
Just a few months ago, they were working in hospitality, accounting or teaching. Today, they are working with data, code and machine learning models. At the Data Science Institute (DSI) in Berlin, this kind of transition is not the exception—it’s the model. People from non-technical backgrounds learn within a matter of months how to analyse data, develop models and build applications. “We teach career changers everything they need to get started in IT—especially in the data space,” says founder and CEO Fabian Rappert.
Based at the Charlottenburg Innovation Centre (CHIC), the Data Science Institute positions itself as a training provider for entry into data-driven careers. At its core is a proprietary e-learning programme aimed primarily at academically trained career changers looking to move into IT and artificial intelligence. The modular courses begin with programming and database fundamentals, before moving on to statistical methods and machine learning.
The e-learning component is complemented by structured courses and close personal support. “We deliberately combine self-directed learning with intensive guidance,” says Rappert. The goal is not just to convey knowledge but to build a genuine understanding of data and models.
A particular focus is placed on the transition into the labour market. Participants work on practice-focused projects and receive targeted support as they enter the job market.
The idea for the start-up came to Rappert while out on a boat on Berlin’s Wannsee. “A friend asked me if I could teach him programming,” he recalls. That favour turned into the Data Science Institute in 2021. Today, the company has 18 employees and more than ten freelance coaches.
Entry into the programme is competitive. Around 400 people apply each month, with roughly 30 accepted. Alongside a completed degree, motivation and perseverance are key criteria. “The job market is still discriminatory in many ways—especially when it comes to formal qualifications,” says Rappert. “There are plenty of highly capable people without a traditional academic background who are simply not given a chance.”
Even so, the institute operates within these realities. The aim is to ensure that graduates have a genuine chance of success in the labour market. To avoid frustration, the programme relies on careful selection. Without a solid grounding in mathematics or statistics, candidates will struggle. Not everyone is suited to this kind of work, Rappert acknowledges. “We have to make sure participants truly understand the material—not just apply it superficially.”
The demands of the workplace are changing fast. While basic applications of AI are now part of everyday work in many areas, the need for professionals who understand the underlying systems continues to grow. “Almost anyone can use AI tools now. Understanding what’s happening under the hood—and turning that into real value—is something else entirely,” says Rappert.
Many participants arrive with significant self-doubt, Rappert notes. They often assume everyone else is ahead of them—until they realise that others are “just muddling through as well”.
One example from the programme illustrates how quickly things can change: “We had a participant with a business degree who, after a period focused on family, was working in hospitality,” he says. “Through the programme, she moved into IT consulting—and today she works as a programmer.”
Kai Dürfeld for Potenzial